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Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2012

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Loved this forum because of the knowedge of the posters here on specifics like which test was "Generation 1" elisa or "Generation 2" or "Generation 3" .... always very helpful as the window periods for each generation test were shorter.

I was curious what the general concensus was for the HomeAccess Express HIV Test kit.

I was told its the only FDA approved home testing kit, and I just wanted to be sure it was the Generation 3 Elisa with the shorter 4 week window period (not including outliers).

I have always wondered this, so Ill ask here. Hopefully those in the "know" will answer with facts versus those in the "think" with guesses

Does medical science know where the typical entry point is for the virus, in a male?

I heard Dr. Drew on the radio mention something about the mucous membranes being the most susceptible location for entrypoint into the body, but I haven't been able to confirm that. Nor my next question which was - exactly where are the mucous membranes on a male?

Where do most scientists believe the virus enters the body on a male? Some other opinions ive heard even right here on these forums were:

* "It must go up the length of the urethra and into the body, it cannot pass through the urethral membrane into the bloodstream"* "There must be an actual tear or break in the skin for the virus to enter directly into the bloodstream" (seems to me this almost never happens, and it contradicts the theory that anal sex is risky because i dont think there is a tear in the skin of the one GIVING the anal).

What we do know is that the highest risk activity is *receiving* unprotected anal sex. I assume the assumption here is the giver ejaculates, and the receiver has tears in the skin. That's the scenario considered highest risk.

Im most curious about the non HIV positive male. His risk. If the most common entry point for HIV is just inside the tip of the penis, that would be interesting to know. If it is required that it pass up the length of the urethra ... then that would be interesting to know as well. If a tear and bloodshed is required, that would be very interesting and probably make me confused....

I've always felt a male has the smallest risk of acquiring HIV simply because the only possible entry point is a tiny hole at the tip of the penis. Then I wonder why HIV is so prevalent in gay men. I can't imagine everyone is just bleeding all over eachother all the time. Even minor tears - are we to believe that the anal GIVER is torn and bleeding somewhere too?

In any case, this is an interesting topic (in my opinion) and Im interested in hearing people's input. Just for discussion sake.

Thanks!

PS... Moderator Ann - I tried to PM you but it wouldn't let me. I have had other usernames in the past but true to form, I cant remember them for the life of me, and the "reminder" tool does not have my email in it anymore. If you'd like to PM me my username Ill log in there. Didn't want it to seem like I was making multiple names intentionally. Thanks!

There is no ELISA test that uses a four week window period. The fourth generation ELISA, when bundled with p24 antigen testing, is very accurate at six weeks, but the official window period everywhere except the State of Massachusetts is three months.

Although a negative result at six weeks on a Home Access test is unlikely to change, they are not conclusive until the three month point.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I had read several times on this forum that the 3rd generation test (the most current at that time) window period was 28 days, and extending to the six weeks for the outliers. Of course CDC cannot say 28 days, and the reasons why were discussed here as well, namely being the outliers. Outliers of course being the 3% or so of the community that have impaired immune systems which don't respond with the other 97% by 28 days. There apparently is a 4th generation test now, as per your post. Good to know! Do you know if the HomeAccess is 4th generation? I will of course still wait the 6 weeks if I ever need to use it.

Why did you combine my threads when they were of two completely different topics, and will result in several responses on two completely different topics?

The buttons at the top of the forum say "New Topic" and ... even though I am the same person, the 2nd question was a completely new topic. Should we not create new topics if the topic is different from the first?

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

Please also read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.

As for the usernames, if you haven't logged in to these forums in a while, chances are you would have had to re-register anyway, as we have new software and everyone had to re-register.

Mucus membranes are any areas of the body that produce mucus - such as the inside of the mouth, urethra, vagina and anus.

It is less common - but not impossible - for the insertive male partner to become infected for the reason you speculate on, which is the small size of the opening of the urethra. It is also possible to sustain abrasions on the penis during insertive anal intercourse through tightness and/or lack of lube. Lack of lube during vaginal intercourse can also cause abrasions.

Please have a read through the Welcome Thread and have a look at the Transmission Lesson linked to there.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Alright getting back to my first original question (the one that existed in this thread initially), does anyone know what generation the HomeAccess test kit is? Despite our 6 week mantra, I am very clear on the fact that the 1st generation test has a significantly longer window period than the 3rd or 4th, so I would appreciate any input on this actual particular testing kit.

I may very well be wrong on the 28 days but that and "4 weeks" comes to mind for non-outliers. You didn't draw any distinction between outliers and non outliers, just like CDC does not. But I am interested in making the distinction if we could. And these discussions I refer to were over a year ago.

The fact of it is that the vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive on an ELISA test by six weeks, regardless of the generation of test. It is also fact that unless you are testing in a Massachusetts State licensed facility, the window period in the US is thirteen weeks.

The only 28 day reference I ever remember hearing concerns PCR testing, which is something we do not recommend, except in very specific circumstances. It is not to be used for general diagnostic testing.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

By the way, I looked you up in the old forum and you can view your thread here. Please understand that we still have the one account per person rule here in the new forum, so please write your details down and stick to this one account. Thanks.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts